ALAND to elevate Gosford’s dining and drinking experience

Cocktail hour on the Central Coast is about to reach new heights thanks to leading Sydney developer ALAND’s plans to create Gosford’s highest bar.

Archibald Skybar & Lounge will deliver a drinking and dining experience that is so far unparalleled in the regional centre. The unique bar on level 28 will sit atop what already promises to be Gosford’s most vibrant and dynamic vertical village combining both a premium hotel and luxury residential apartments at one sought after address.

The stylish watering hole with uninterrupted 270-degress views of Brisbane Waters will be a meeting place for locals and travellers alike. It will offer a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere which aims to reflect the laid-back vibe of the Central Coast.

Able to accommodate approximately 400 patrons, the Archibald Skybar & Lounge will cover an estimated 1000sqm footprint of gross lettable area including a glamorous cocktail lounge with a function space featuring a separate bar and terrace.

ALAND’s Head of Development, Ryan Lane, said the Archibald Skybar & Lounge will serve up a previously untapped experience for the Central Coast.

“When we set out to investigate the viability of the Skybar we discovered that something like this would be extremely unique for the area. There simply isn’t anyone with an offering like this on the coast. There are obviously some comparable offerings around Sydney or the Gold Coast, but what we were really careful not to do was repeat something that’s been done in another location.”

He said ALAND worked closely with established designers and architects to come up with a bespoke concept which is tailored for the Central Coast market.

“It’s designed to be very approachable and welcoming, but not too over the top. However, it will still provide a point of difference for entertainment that the Central Coast doesn’t currently have,” Mr Lane added.

“There are pub and restaurant offerings, but the Skybar is going to give locals a venue they can really celebrate. You can have birthday parties, weddings and any number of functions at the rear of the space where you can hire out the whole venue.”

Located at 108 Donnison Street, Archibald sits in the beating heart of Gosford’s CBD with Central Coast Stadium only 300m away. Its location, combined with nearby venues such as Hotel Gosford, Railway Hotel, and Archibald’s own 2070sqm pub and restaurant, Union Hotel, will make the Skybar & Lounge an ideal place for patrons seeking a place to gather before or after big games.

Once completed in Q3 2024, Archibald will house 323 apartments and 130 hotel rooms meaning an estimated total of 850 people will be in the building at any given time – in addition to countless locals taking advantage of the new social offering.

Mr Lane said while the future hospitality operators of both the Archibald Skybar & Lounge as well as the hotel is yet to be announced, competitive interest by top industry players during the tender process will result in a couple of superior operators at the helm.

“With regards to the Hotel, we’re very well progressed with conversations after having gone through a meticulous tender process with significant response from some pretty prominent brands. In the past, with similar projects, we might have had a handful of qualified interested parties but when you have more than 10 significantly interested parties – as we have experience with Archibald – it shows the strength of the opportunity in the Gosford market,” he said.

While the brands of the venues are still to be confirmed, plenty of confident residential buyers have already secured their new homes at Archibald. Two impressive buildings will house one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments plus three- and four-bedroom penthouses, all with access to resort style facilities and many with views of Brisbane Waters and the city skyline.

Approximately 100 apartments have sold off the plan, with homes ranging in size between 58sqm and 280sqm and prices starting at $475,000 for a 1-bedroom property. Find out more about the project here.